Literature Desk :
Humayun Ahmed, a native of Bangladesh, wore many hats during his lifetime. These include: filmmaker, screenwriter, playwright, author, teacher and dramatist. He was considered a literary and cultural legend. He was a man who followed his dreams, whether it was writing television plays or engaging young minds at the University of Dhaka. He was a large contributor to the world of fine arts and is considered to be the most popular novelist of Bangladesh. During his time, he wrote more than 200 non-fiction and fiction books, which were bestsellers in his homeland. Ahmed’s quirky characters, familiar content and simple language helped his fan base increase steadily. He wrote in a variety of different genres including suspense, romance, and paranormal thrillers. As Bangladesh’s best-selling author, he was idealised by men and women who grew up reading his books and watching his shows in the 1980s and 1990s. Although he was loved by most, he would often stir up controversy with his writings. Despite the large number of fans, the numerous awards, and becoming a household name, Ahmed was humble and did not consider himself to be a great writer.
Humayun Ahmed was born on November 13, 1948 in Mohongonj, Netrokona to Faizur Rahman and Ayesha Foyez. He was the eldest of five children.
Humayun’s father, a police officer and writer, was killed in 1971 by the Pakistani military during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
Creativity ran in his family. His mother was a Bengali writer, while his younger brothers, Muhammed Zafar Iqbal and Ahsan Habib are writer and artist in their own right.
Due to his father’s official position as a police officer, Ahmed went to schools in a number of different places including Sylhet, Dinajpur and Bogra. In many of Ahmed’s writings, he tells memories of growing up and going to school in these different locations.
In 1965, he passed his Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Examination in Bogra Zilla School and was listed as second in merit on the Rajshahi Education Board.
In 1967, Ahmed passed his Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Examination from Dhaka College.
Humayun Ahmed earned a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Chemistry, followed by a Master of Science Degree with First Class distinction, from Dhaka University.
After graduation, Humayun Ahmed worked as Lecturer at Bangladesh Agricultural University for six months before joining Dhaka College to teach Chemistry. Soon after, he went to the United States to earn his PhD in Polymer Chemistry from North Dakota State University.
After completing his PhD studies, he traveled back to Bangladesh and continued teaching at Dhaka University until he left teaching in the mid 1990s to work on his writing and film production.
In 1972, Humayun Ahmed’s first novel (which he wrote as a student) Nondito Noroke (In Blissful Hell) was published by Khan Brothers. The novel was greatly admired by the literary critics.
In 1983, his television career kicked off with his television drama, Prothom Prohor (First Moment), directed by Nawazesh Ali Khan. His Television resume continued to grow with series in genres such as drama, comedy and history.
His most talked about television series was Kothao Keu Nei (There is no one anywhere). This dramatic series’ main character was a gang leader who was executed. Fans became so obsessed with this series, that they often wrote to Humayun Ahmed and begged him to change the script so that the main character lived.
In addition to his television series’, he wrote and directed films that were based around his life experiences. Some of his major films included: Aguner Poroshmoni, Shyamal Chhaya and Ghetuputra Kamola.
In 2012, Humayun Ahmed was appointed as a Special Adviser to the Bangladesh Mission in the United Nations.
In 1972, his first novel Nondito Noroke (In Blissful Hell) was published by Khan Brothers under the supervision of Poet-Novelist Ahmod Sofa. Ahmed Sharif, a scholar of Bangla language, wrote the introductory speech in Ahmed’s first novel. The novel received great critical acclaim from the literary critics.
In 1994, Humayun Ahmed wrote and directed his first film, titled Aguner Poroshmoni. The film was based on the Liberation War of Bangladesh and included his memories of the war, including his father’s death.
In 1973, he won the Lekhak Shibir Prize. The award is given to recognise liberal and progressive writers.
In 1981, he was honored with Bangla Academy Award in recognition of his creative genius and overall contribution to the Bengali language and literature.
He won National Film Awards (Bangladesh) in the categories: Best Story (1993), Best Film (1994), Best Dialogue (1994), Best Director (2012), Best Screenplay (2012), and Best Story Writer (2012).
In 1973, Humayun Ahmed married Gultekin Ahmed. They had four children; three daughters: Nova, Sheela, and Bipasha, and a son named, Nuhash.
After 30-years of married life with Gultekin he married actress Meher Afroz Shaon in 2005. Shaon and Humayun Ahmed has two sons : Nishad and Ninit.
Humayun Ahmed died of colorectal cancer on 19 July 2012, in New York City. He was buried in his estate at Nuhas Polli in Bangladesh. n
